Departing B.C. Lions star receiver Geroy Simon talks to the media at the team’s training facility in Surrey on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013 about his trade to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.Jason Payne
/ PNG

Departing B.C. Lions star receiver Geroy Simon talks to the media at the team’s training facility in Surrey on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013 about his trade to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.Jason Payne
/ PNG

Departing B.C. Lions star receiver Geroy Simon composes himself while talking to the media at the team’s training facility in Surrey on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013 about his trade to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.Jason Payne
/ PNG

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VANCOUVER — Peter Pocklington’s lasting legacy in sport was to teach us all that nobody is untouchable.

In 1988, the owner of the Edmonton Oilers turned the hockey world upset down by doing the unfathomable: Turning the Great Gretzky into a Los Angeles King. He later became a St. Louis Blue, and a New York Ranger.

Picture in your mind’s eye Babe Ruth in Yankee pinstripes, but be mindful that the Bambino ended his career wearing the flannel of the Boston Braves.

Jerry Rice, the greatest receiver in football history, is remembered in hues of 49ers crimson and gold. But his time as an Oakland Raider, a Seattle Seahawk and a Denver Bronco is another reminder that no professional athlete is immune from the ravages of time and circumstance.

And so it is with Geroy Simon.

B.C. Lions fan might react with disbelief that the symbol of all that is good and great in orange and black will now be wearing the green and white of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The 37-year-old receiver might be the best there ever was for an organization about to celebrate its 60th year in the Canadian Football League.

But ‘was’ is the operative word.

The Lions believe that Simon’s greatest days are behind him. Simon insists there are great days ahead. One party believes he is no longer an elite receiver, the highest paid non-quarterback in the CFL. The other party says, “I’ll show you.”

Bullheadness and bucks are the reason the CFL’s all-time receiving yards leader is leaving B.C. and de-camping to the prairies. Lions GM Wally Buono was prepared to pay Simon about half of his $205,000 compensation from last year for what would be a diminished role in 2013.

As much as the monetary impasse, Simon balked at any suggestion that he would be used in a supporting role. And so, any notion of Simon ending his playing days as B.C. Lion went out the door with his trade Thursday to the Roughriders.

“It think it is stubborness. It’s bullhead-ness,” Simon said. “I believe in my ability. If I didn’t believe in that ability, I’d still be a B.C. Lion. Ultimately, I have to make the decision that’s best for me. When I have to look in the mirror, I see myself. I’m the one who has to make the decision. My agent (Dan Vertlieb) is not the one who has to play in Saskatchewan. I am. And I’m OK with what I’ve done here, and moving on to the next stop. I felt like I’ve exhausted what I can do here. And I needed to move on.”

As a flesh peddler, Buono has a reputation for knowing an athlete’s best-before date and when to make a move before it becomes obvious to others. Allen Pitts, Dave Dickenson, Jason Clermont, Otis Floyd, Tyrone Williams . . . the list of fan favourites Buono has released is as long as the chronicle of his accomplishments. Not even Geroy Simon can prove to be an exception to the rule.

“Because the process has been so long, and I honestly felt I wasn’t sure I could work this out, this is the inevitable result,” Buono said. “When I got up today, I did feel a bit of hollowness. I had my own personal feelings. This was not going to be easy. But I had to put those feelings aside. The job of fans is to be emotionally invested in the team and the players. My job is to make the right decision. The difference between me and them is, I have to take the emotions out of it and make the hard football decision.”

While some might suggest Buono’s soul is made of flint, it soon became apparent that he appreciated the gravity of the moment. The Lions took the extraordinary step of organizing a news conference, in the locker room, for a player they had just traded. In his more than three decades as a CFL head coach or general manager, Buono can’t remember another similar instance. The same media turnout, which might be expected for the announcement of a Roberto Luongo trade, reflected the newsworthiness of the event.

“From my recollection, it’s the first time I’ve bothered to do something of this nature -- when you trade or release a player,” Buono said. “This is totally different. This is unique. We didn’t want to make a trade like this, then hide behind our desk. Geroy has done so much for this organization. He’s done so much on the field, and off the field. He’s helped us come a long way from when we got here (2003).”

The argument can be made Simon doesn’t know when to quit or accept the fact he can’t get the same separation from defenders as he did in his prime. Moving on to Saskatchewan is part of his compulsion to prove himself, to never let up in

pursuit of the exacting standards he has set for himself.

“I consider myself a winner. That definitely played a huge factor in the decision,” Simon explained. “I didn’t want to go to a place where I was just out there, and didn’t have an opportunity to play at a high level (why he chose the Roughriders).”

He added: “I have nothing but great feelings for this organization, and this man (Buono) sitting beside me. I really respect this man. He’s a leader. And sometimes leadership is about making unpopular, tough decisions. But to exhaust my talents as a football player, I felt I had to move on.”

Canadian Football Hall of Famer Ray Elgaard, who wore No. 81 as a Roughrider, graciously informed Simon that he would be honoured to have him wear his jersey number.

Simon has been a thorn in the side of the ‘Riders for many years -- he has 10, 100-yard games against Saskatchewan during his career in B.C., more than any other CFL team. He’ll line up at slotback with Weston Dressler, with the ‘Riders probably moving Chris Getzlaf to a wide receiver position with Rob Bagg, Taj Smith and Greg Carr in an offence quarterbacked by Darian Durant and choreographed by new coordinator George Cortez, a recognized offensive guru.

“Whenever you can add his type of experience, leadership and ability, it’s definitely an asset for us,” Durant told the Regina Leader-Post. “I’m looking forward to working with Geroy. He’s a champion. He knows what it takes to win. The pieces are in place for us to make a great run at this thing (Saskatchewan plays host to the 2013 Grey Cup game at Mosaic Stadium).”

Despite the trade, Simon won’t be making a mad dash to Saskatchewan. He first has to make peace with the Cloverdale Bobcats, the peewee minor football team he coached to the provincial championship last year.

Indeed, Simon will be expected to show at the 2013 Orange Helmet Awards banquet on April 19, the Lions’ annual salute to minor football in the province, to accept the trophy for his team.

“I thought about that,” Simon said, with a chuckle. “I’m going to have to go to that.”

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